New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-30
THE VETERANS GOING HOME
RAIN STILL MARS THE ENCAMPMENr.
SOME FEATURES OF THE REUNION ABANDONED
BECAUSE OF THE wEATHER-MEErING OF
THE NATIONAL ENcAMPMENr-HIGH

|
BECAUSE OF THE wEATHER--MEETING OF
THE NATIONAL ENcAMPMENT-HIGH
| PRAISE FOR GENERAL FAIRCHILD.
fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuxEl
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 29.-The veterans are rauidlv
deserting their quarters in the parks and starting
nomeward' worn out by futile struggle with
the elements, which have successfully conspired
against them. The Union De- OF has been thronged
with outgoing soldiers during the day. litfui
showers fastening the stampede. Thousands still
remain under better shelter than the tents In the
muddy parks have afforded. The reunion by
States at Forest Park and the review of the regi.
ments by General Sherman, which was to have
been one Of the best features OF the cncampmcnt.
was practically abandoned this morning. Ii the
weather had been favorable on the day first
appointed for the reunion, every State and Ter
ritory would have been represented for the Rrse
time In the history Of the G. A. r.
The excursion TO Springfield was not post.
| poned, but tho number Of veterans visiting
Lincolns tomb and accepting the hospitality Of
| the State authorities of Illinois was much smaller
than had been anticipated. Many of the other
| excursions have been deferred from day to day
or abandoned altogether. the weather remaining
uncompromisngly bad. Tho exposition continues
to draw 10000 people day, and the Southern
California exhibition OF fruits wines and other
products is strong magnet of attraction in the
same quarter. The veterans have manifold ways OF
ilndlng entertainments About 900 of them have
had the morbid curiosity to wish to see Maxwell,
the murderer, and have been formally escorted
through the JAIL The War Governors and da-
tinghished guests are entertained in private
houses, and taken care of at all the public
receptions
Onc OF these receptions was at the great hall
Al
Women's Relief Corps was welcomed by the Mayor
and General Fairchih, and many speeches were
made. This organization has been quietly at
work for two days disposng of routine business
and endeavoring to unravel the tange caused by
the two revolts against the authority Of tho
National Board Of Control Contestng delega-
tiOns from Indiana have been present and most
animated sessions have been held. The musical
harmones of the orchestra at the jubilee reception
tend To restore good feeling among the auxiliary
sstcrhood of the G.. A. X. Mrs. Kline, the pre-
siding officer, has great dignity Of presence and
Is credited with much executive talent. Her
successor will be elected tomorrow, several cam
didates being strongly favored by groups Of
admirers.
SOCIAL REUNIONS OF THE VETERANS.
Social reunions Of survivors of regiments and
brigades are still the order OF the day, and form
ment These are held at all hours of the day
and night and promote that feeling Of fraternity
which is Of the chief virtues of the G. A. R.
These reunions to be reclioned by the hundred,
and represent every phase of military life and
veteran association The Missouri, Illinois and
Kansas Departments are to be credited with tho
largest number OF these reunions. The famous
Eagle and Iron brigadcs, Merritt horse, the
Mississippi ram fleet and marine brigade, Sheri-
dams division of the 4th Corps, LIST and 10th
New-YOrk Regiments few among the hum
dreds OF notable gatherings of veterans thot
light be mentioned. The loyal Legion limited to.
higher and more executive rank of officers, has
q brilliant reception ut the LnJell Tho Cohabo
prisoners have met to compare their painful
"reminiscences of life at Castle Morgan, Selma
and the terrible slaughter of survivor, by the
explosion of the steamer Suitanas boiler while
they were on their way home at the close Of the
The countless episodes of such an encampment
woulI make most interesting volume. One
Union soldier from California is the hOnOred
guest of a Confederate veteran, now living in
this city, who captured him as prisoner on the
battlefield Uncle Andy survivor of the
wars of 1912 and lS4s, is with the Kansas
veterans at the ripe old age OF one bundled
In this way the catalogue OF strange meetings
meet here for the first time in
ten, fifteen or twenty-five years. to
renew acquaintance formed Op the bloody battle
fields OF IN hospital wards. The. private IN the
ranks ioyfulIy clasps hands with loved COM
mander Sometimes with moist and blinking eyes,
but oftener in mood Of reckless Gavety the old
BOYS in blue meet once more face to face and hand
10 hand to revive the heroic memories of youth
and early manhood to fight over the battles of the
past to sse the scars of remOrseess time IN tamil.
lar faces, to count tho victims Of that grimmest OF
warriors-dea since the last reunion, aud to
wonder whether they Will ever meet again.
GENERAL sLOcUM HEARTILY WELCOMED.
the New-York delegation this morning and was
welcomed there by General FaIrchild. who is be-
Ieved to favor his election COmmander-n-
Chief. A great impulse given to his canvass
by his presence at the headquarters. where con-
tinuous throng Of visitors was to be seen ell tho
evening. The election is to be held tomorrow.
No new candidates have been brought forward. but
the canvass continues to excite unabated interest.
as important issues are believed 10 be involved in
the choice of Commander-in-Chief. The election OF
a. Democrat Il urged IN many quarters: On
the plea that pension legislation would 90
materially aided thereby General Slocums
strongest support comes from state deiegation
pledged to service pension.
The National Encampment has been in executive
session morning and afternoon. This body has
three classes of members, with maximum attend.
ance of SS4. / he frs, class includes 40 National
officers aud memb bers of the Council of Adnlinisrra.
National officers and Department commanders. and
the third 381 DELEGATES elected by the
State departments In tine proportion OF
one for each thousand active members IN good
standing Pennsylva New-YOrk, ohio, Illinois
and Kansas have the largest delegations. The
Past Department and National officers, with the
administration. would have the same voting
strength as the delegates. If they were all IN
attendance large number are not pres
emf, 50 that the delegates have
good majority. Still the number present.
s large and with each succeeding encampmeut will
increase rapidly. COmpiai It Is already made IN
The Grand Army that these honorary members
form too conseiv vative an element anc have already
TOO much power and that steps must be taken
eventually to deprive them Of their privileges.
Whenever o constitutional change Is proposed. the
question Of direct elective representations by the
posts will also be raised. The encanlpment, as 1t
stands is not in any real sense popular elective
assembly, but rather Senate, with o large con-
tingent of life members
BITTER AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.
Ono Of tba frat reports presented this morning